The key is massive release upon submersion, even if not required, blanketing the area around a sinking vessel with RRP's. that will provide a floating platform when coupled together...with clean drinking and O2 to inflate the airbag. A sailor wearing a life vest can activate as many of these as he can find to immediately provide O2 to fill airbags and clean drinking water to survive in the event rescue is delayed or non-existent. The Pad can also carry survival based items such as rudimentary fishing/cutting/fire-making/ lighting gear.

This pad is not meant to provide long term or complex life support. It is an emergency chance of survival - adding low cost "chance of survival" redundancy to any floating vessel. Ideal mounting surfaces would be inside sidewalls, railings, and most vertical surfaces not affecting RCS of the ship. Can easily be adapted to contoured and uneven surfaces. Very light and very simple, and very inexpensive in volume production.